Here’s How AI May Help Address EV Charger Reliability

• ChargePoint reveals AI-powered feature in its app for reporting problems, which only requires users to submit a photo of a malfunctioning charger's screen.

• The AI analyzes the photo and pinpoints the technical issue, automatically notifying ChargePoint’s Network Operations Center and potentially mitigating the need for an on-site visit.

• EV charger reliability is now in the spotlight as the EV adoption rate is showing signs of stalling, with some potential buyers being wary of charging infrastructure's shortcomings and dependability.

We knew it was only a matter of time before AI was applied to EV charging in some way, and this match up did not take long to materialize.

But can it make a dent in the widespread nuisance that is EV charger reliability, or lack thereof?

ChargePoint has revealed an AI-powered driver support tool that can be used by the network to diagnose and repair EV chargers. And all it requires on the part of the owner to report a problem is to snap a photo of the malfunctioning charger's screen with their phone and submit it via the "report a problem" feature in the ChargePoint app.

The AI then connects the charger issue with the EV driver's location and then interprets the image to identify the technical problem based on inputs on which it has been trained.

Once the AI pinpoints the technical issue, it automatically notifies the ChargePoint’s Network Operations Center, likely mitigating the need for on-site visit. The generated report will also alert the station's owner, and EV drivers who report an issue with the charger will be able to track the repair status in their app.

ChargePoint says this is the first time AI has been used in the EV charging sphere to identify physical, technical problems with chargers.

"This technology will enable us to triage and resolve physical issues that cannot be detected via remote monitoring, demonstrating our commitment to innovations which deliver a reliable charging network," said Rick Wilmer, CEO of ChargePoint.

ChargePoint's focus on station reliability follows a number of efforts by other station builders to improve charger uptime, as it has become more of an issue than simple range anxiety as the number of stations has grown.

Last month the charging network launched what it calls an Omni Port, which is a connector that allows an EV to be charged regardless of its connector type, thereby eliminating the need for adapters.

"There are more than 5.5 million EVs on North American roads, of which more than half are equipped with J1772 or CCS1 charging ports. These vehicles will continue needing public charger access for years to come," ChargePoint noted.

The Omni Port, which will begin shipping by the end of the year, combines these connector types into a single interface.

Earlier this summer ChargePoint reached an important milestone of 1 million charging points in North America and Europe, including public, private, and roaming ports in the tally.

Are new electric-vehicle prices still a greater barrier to EV adoption than charger reliability, or is some other issue stalling electric vehicle purchases? Let us know what you think in the comments below.